Water conservation device for a shower

ABSTRACT

A button and a foot pedal control a water conservation device for a shower. The device controls are provided to manage water flow by controlling a battery-powered electric valve. The foot pedal and its connecting cable are easily detached and removed when not in use. The button, when pushed, causes the water to flow for 15 seconds or until the foot pedal is pressed. The period of 15 seconds may be adjusted by the user.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

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STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

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PARTIES TO A JOINT RESEARCH AGREEMENT

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REFERENCE TO SEQUENCE LISTING, A TABLE, OR A COMPUTER PROGRAM LISTING COMPACT DISK APPENDIX

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BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates generally to plumbing fixtures, and in particular to a water conservation device for a shower. As many water conservationists have observed, one of the easiest ways to conserve water is to shut it off while lathering up in the shower, and energy used to heat the water is also conserved. In addition to limiting environmental impact and saving thousands of gallons of water annually, significant cost savings may also be realized by using this method. Unfortunately, it introduces several minor annoyances. The user must put down whatever item is in hand, such as a bar of soap, a bottle of shampoo, or a washcloth, then shut off the water, then pick up the item again, and repeat the process when turning the water on again. Furthermore, most shower hardware requires the user to carefully adjust the mixture of hot and cold water when turning it on again, risking a moment of scalding hot or ice cold water. Most people who take a shower instead of a bath are trying to save a few minutes, and in addition to the frustration and discomfort they cause, these annoyances cost those precious minutes. Other devices have been developed but they have their shortcomings, and compound these issues in households with multiple residents, only some of whom are concerned about conservation. As a result, the use of this conservation method is limited, even among people who are conservation-minded. A water conservation device for a shower, which enables the user to turn the water on or off by simply pressing a button or a foot pedal, would resolve this problem.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, the invention is directed to a water conservation device for a shower. Two control devices, a button and a foot pedal, are provided to manage the water flow by controlling a valve. The foot pedal and its connecting cable are easily detached and removed when not in use. The button, when pushed, causes the water to flow for 15 seconds or until the foot pedal is pressed. The period of 15 seconds may be adjusted by the user.

Additional features and advantages of the invention will be set forth in the description which follows, and will be apparent from the description, or may be learned by practice of the invention. The foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory and are intended to provide further explanation of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

The accompanying drawing is included to provide a further understanding of the invention and is incorporated into and constitutes a part of the specification. It illustrate two embodiments of the invention and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention.

The FIGURE is a side view of the first exemplary embodiment installed in a shower, displaying the valve 10, the housing 11, the button 12, the foot pedal 13, the cable 13A, the descending pipe 14, the ascending pipe 15, and the shower head 16.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring now to the invention in more detail, the invention is directed to a water conservation device for a shower. Two control devices, a button 12 and a foot pedal 13, are provided to manage the water flow by controlling a valve 10. The foot pedal 13 and its connecting cable 13A are easily detached and removed when not in use. The button 12, when pushed, causes the water to flow for 15 seconds or until the foot pedal 13 is pressed. The period of 15 seconds may be adjusted by the user. Generically, they button 12 and foot pedal 13 may be configured for selectively allowing the flow of water for a fixed period, for example fifteen seconds, or until another signal, for example th button being pressed again or the foot pedal being pressed again, is received.

The first exemplary embodiment is intended for installation as an after-market modification of existing shower fixtures, by the user or by a professional plumbing or home improvement service. Other embodiments, intended as original equipment by manufacturers of the shower fixtures, are also contemplated.

The first exemplary embodiment provides a valve 10, which may be operated to shut off the water flow in a shower and turn it on again. The valve 10 is contained within a housing 11, and is operated by a button 12 and a foot pedal 13. The valve 10 may be placed in electronic, mechanical, or hydraulic communication with the foot pedal 13 and/or the button 12. Alternate embodiments, providing only the button 12 or only the foot pedal 13, are also contemplated. By pressing either the button 12 or the foot pedal 13, the valve 10 is opened and the water flow is activated. A second press of either the button 12 or the foot pedal 13 causes the valve 10 to close. This sequence is provided by mechanisms which are well-known to the art.

Water which has already been adjusted to the preferred temperature by the user flows down to the valve 10 through a descending pipe 14, and then flows up to the shower head 16 through an ascending pipe 15. Both the descending pipe 14 and the ascending pipe 15 may be contained within a cylindrical or other enclosure, for decorative or aesthetic purposes. Generically, the ascending pipe 15 is understood to be in fluid communication with the shower head 16, and the housing 11, and the housing 11 is understood to be in fluid communication with the housing 11, and with the shower water supply. The valve 10 is understood to selectively allow or disallow fluid communication through the housing 11 from the descending pipe to the ascending pipe. The foot pedal 13 is connected to the housing 11 via a cable 13A, which may carry electronic, mechanical, or hydraulic signals. Both the foot pedal 13 and the cable 13A may be easily removed and reattached as desired, without the use of tools.

The button 12 also provides a timed shut-off. The timer's default setting is 15 seconds, and may be increased or decreased by the user. Pressing the foot pedal 13 before the period expires also causes the water to continue flowing. Both the on/off function and the timer mechanism of the preferred embodiment utilize the water pressure of the household plumbing system (specifically, hydraulic communication, as referred to above), however, an alternative embodiment whereby a secondary power supply is contemplated for electronic communication in those shower systems that lack sufficient household water pressure.

To use the first exemplary embodiment, the user may turn on the water and achieve the desired mixture of hot and cold water. The water mixture flows into the housing 11 and stops at the valve 10. The user may then step into the shower and proceed with showering. Whenever the user reaches a point where water must be used, the user may press the button 12 or the foot pedal 13 to activate the water flow. When the user needs to shut off the water flow, the button 12 or foot pedal 13 may be pressed again. If the user pressed the button 12 to turn the water on, the timer's expiration will also turn the water off again.

The valve 10, the housing 11, the button 12, the foot pedal 13, the the descending pipe 14, the ascending pipe 15, and the shower head 16 are preferably manufactured from durable, rigid materials which are corrosion resistant, such as stainless steel or aluminum alloy. The cable 13A is preferably manufactured from steel wire sheathed in plastic.

Components, component sizes, and materials listed above are preferable, but artisans will recognize that alternate components and materials could be selected without altering the scope of the invention.

While the foregoing written description of the invention enables one of ordinary skill to make and use what is presently considered to be the best mode thereof, those of ordinary skill in the art will understand and appreciate the existence of variations, combinations, and equivalents of the specific embodiment, method, and examples herein. The invention should, therefore, not be limited by the above described embodiment, method, and examples, but by all embodiments and methods within the scope and spirit of the invention. 

I claim:
 1. A water conservation device for a shower comprising a valve, an ascending pipe, a descending pipe, and a shower head; a housing; said ascending pipe being fluid communication with said shower head and with said housing; said descending pipe being in fluid communication with said housing; and said valve being disposed within said housing so as to selectively permit fluid communication through said housing from said descending pipe to said ascending pipe.
 2. The water conservation device for a shower of claim 1 wherein said valve is controllable by a button in communication therewith; said button being disposed on said housing.
 3. The water conservation device for a shower of claim 1 wherein said valve is controllable by a pedal in communication therewith; said pedal being connected to said housing by a cable.
 4. The water conservation device for a shower of claim 1 wherein said valve is controllable, equivalently, by a button in communication therewith; said button being disposed on said housing, and by a pedal in communication therewith; said pedal being connected to said housing by a cable.
 5. The water conservation device for a shower of claim 3 wherein said cable is detachable from said housing.
 6. The water conservation device for a shower of claim 4 wherein said cable is detachable from said housing.
 7. The water conservation device for a shower of claim 2 wherein said button is configured for selectively allowing fluid communication through said housing for a fixed period or until said button is pressed again.
 8. The water conservation device for a shower of claim 3 wherein said foot pedal is configured for selectively allowing fluid communication for a fixed period or until said foot pedal is pressed again.
 9. The water conservation device for a shower of claim 4 wherein said button and said foot pedal are configured for selectively allowing fluid communication for a fixed period or until said button or said foot pedal is pressed again. 